A bill sent to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s desk would prevent mandatory reporting when infants are born with evidence of the mothers’ drug use, thereby preventing toxicology reports as evidence in a fitness hearing.
Opponents argued that a baby testing positive for drugs at birth is proof the child is being neglected and abused and DCFS should be mandated to report that neglect and abuse to law enforcement, The Center Square reported. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, nearly one in 12 newborns in the U.S. in 2020, or about 300,000 infants, were exposed to alcohol, opioids, marijuana, or cocaine before they were born.
Senate Bill 3136 was sent to the governor on June 21 and is waiting to be signed. According to the legislation, once signed the bill will be, “Effective immediately, except that some parts take effect January 1, 2025.”
– The Center Square